Dual Group 1s are the focus at Caulfield on Saturday as the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival shifts up a notch, and we’ve got the complete 2026 Underwood Stakes Day preview and tips right here.
The time-honoured Underwood Stakes is one of the most anticipated middle-distance races of the Spring, while this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes features a wide-open field headlined by the always consistent, Lady Shenandoah.
Ten races are set to be run and won across the day, with fine weather on the cards and the track rated a Good 4.
If you’re searching for some insight into all the key runners, as well as a betting strategy and some form analysis, our expert Underwood Stakes Day preview is your best bet!
ORAQUA (15) is rock-hard fit for Mitchell Freedman and ready to win.
She loomed large out wide over the track and distance three weeks ago, taking the lead approaching the final furlong before Politely Dun and Jenni Multabella got the better of her over the late stages.
Keen to see her race with cover here for the first time in a while after drawing some horrible barriers of late. Harry Coffey sticking in the saddle again is also a big plus with only 2kg extra in the saddle.
| 15. Oraqua (4) J: Harry Coffey 57kg 81363 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Last start 3rd of 14 in a Bm78 at this track on August 29 over 1800m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Politely Dun with 55kg at $26. The race before that 6th of 12 in a Bm74 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1800m, slow going 7 len behind Perfect Ten with 57.5kg at $6. | |||
ICY YOU (3) just needs a touch of room when it matters from the inside gate to go on with the job.
The Busuttin and Young-trained three-year-old was an impressive 4.75 length winner of his maiden at Echuca last time out over the mile, settling up close to the speed before Craig Newitt asked something of him and away he went.
He was almost as good on debut when second at Pakenham on the synthetic, and given both runs came over the mile, he should be fit and ready for the step up in trip now.
| 3. Icy You (1) J: Craig Newitt 59kg 21 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Had two starts to date. At debut, 2nd of 10 in a Mdn-Sw at Pakenham Synthetic on August 16 over 1600m, 1.3 len behind Askmumaskdad with 57kg at $6. Last start favourite; came from midfield and scored a big 5 len win in a Mdn-Sw at Echuca on August 30 over 1600m in soft going defeating Riverlea Prince carrying 57kg at $1.80. | |||
BEV’S NINE (3) is back on the scene for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
The son to Shalaa is a perfect two-from-two first-up, last seen winning a Stakes race at Scone over the same trip where he went straight to the front and made every post a winner in the end.
Blake Shinn booked to ride tells you plenty about where he’s at following solid trials and with the gate offering him every chance to find the front early, he’ll be very hard to catch.
| 3. Bev’s Nine (7) J: Blake Shinn 59.5kg 1721x T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation by nose Scone LR Ortensia May 16 over 1100m defeating Brudenell with 53.5kg at $8.50. Previous preparation first-up won by 1.4 len Rosehill 4yo+ Bm78 January 17 over 1100m on heavy track defeating Eye Of The Fire carrying 56.5kg at $4.20. | |||
The gate is a major knock, but I’m happy to stick with PORTINARI (6) third-up in this year’s Thousand Guineas Prelude.
She was well-backed in the Atlantic Jewel at Sandown a couple of weeks ago over 100m shorter, only to be caught in an awful spot midway down the straight where she was squeezed between a pair on her way to running third.
In saying that, I thought she closed the gap nicely once clear as she went close to pinching second, so there’s reason to believe she can handle 1400m for the first time.
Providing the dry track isn’t an issue, she’ll be tough to hold out again if Blake Shinn can find some cover.
| 6. Portinari (13) J: Blake Shinn 56kg x8243 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run 3rd of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Pretty Baby with 56kg at $4. The start before that 4th of 16 in the G3 Quezette Stakes at this track on August 15 over 1100m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Natural Fling carrying 56kg at $9. | |||
AMERICAN EAGLE (2) is firmly on the path towards the Caulfield Guineas as he looks to keep his unbeaten record intact.
The Freedman-trained son to Too Darn Hot did just enough to claim the McNeil Stakes here over 1200m three weeks ago, waiting for a gap to open up along the fence in which he accelerated through cleanly to win only narrowly.
Both wins have come over 1200m, but with improvement still to come and Mark Zahra sticking, he’ll be one of the hardest to beat in this weekend’s Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
| 2. American Eagle (8) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 11 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. When well in the market on debut, favourite; won by 0.8 len in a 2yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on July 15 over 1200m in the wet defeating Judas Tree with 58kg at $3.40. Last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a head in the G3 HDF McNeil Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1200m in soft going defeating Unit Five with 57kg at $3.20. | |||
CUSTOM (4) has mixed her form in the past, but her best is certainly good enough to win the How Now Stakes.
The Street Boss spotted her rivals a start in the Group 3 Courtza Stakes here over the track/trip last time out, before motoring home with a dominant turn of foot to go 1.75 lengths clear.
She was outstanding once a gap opened up midway down the straight and has been given a similar lead in to this race with three weeks between runs. A little give in the track would add some confidence, but she looks ready to go on with it regardless.
| 4. Custom (7) J: Ethan Brown 57kg x2131 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len in the G3 Courtza (WW Cockram) Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1200m on a rain affected track defeating Photograph with 56kg at $6. The run before that 3rd of 8 in a Bm88 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1200m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Flyer with 52kg at $1.75. | |||
BUCKAROO (2) isn’t to be underestimated despite the double-figure price on offer in Underwood Stakes betting.
The old boy has revenge in mind after running half a length second to Sir Delius in the same race last year, and although wins have eluded him over the last couple of years, he’s typically at his very best second-up from a spell.
His run in the Memsie Stakes fresh was encouraging, settling dead last in running before getting up along the inside to run fourth.
I thought he ran on well in the end and looked sharp over the final furlong, so with a trial between runs and improvement still to come, there’s a case to be made for him causing a minor upset.
| 2. Buckaroo (8) J: Mark Zahra 59kg x25x5 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Second-up. First-up after six months 5th of 12 in the G1 Memsie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 4 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $101. Previously second-up 5th of 7 in the G2 Peter Young Stakes at this track on March 14 over 1800m, 6 len behind Birdman with 59kg at $2.25. | |||
ZAHRANN (14) has the talent to win a race like this, and it feels as though he’s starting to put it all together now for Ciaron Maher.
Granted, the Night Of Thunder entire has placed only once from three starts since arriving in Australia earlier in the year, but keep in mind he’s had wet tracks and some awkward gates to deal with throughout.
His run fresh in the Heatherlie Handicap for fourth in behind Kingswood was an encouraging return and he should be offered a tidy run in transit this time from barrier 8 off the speed in this year’s Naturalism Stakes, which offers a ballot free ride to the winner into the Caulfield Cup 2026.
| 14. Zahrann (8) J: Ethan Brown 55kg x53x4 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 4th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Kingswood with 57kg at $11. Previously second-up 3rd of 14 in a Bm100 at Flemington on June 6 over 2000m, on heavy track; 1.1 len behind Ghetto Supastar with 57kg at $4.60. | |||
LADY SHENANDOAH (6) may not get a better chance to add a fourth Group 1 win to her resume than this.
Chris Waller’s mare has mixed it with top line talent for a good 12 months or so, finishing in behind the likes of Ka Ying Rising, Joliestar and more recently, Autumn Glow.
She was brave without winning the Winx Stakes fresh from a spell last month, holding on well along the rail to settle for fourth in the end. That form has stood up nicely since and she maps to adopt similar tactics here from the rails run.
Craig Williams taking over in the saddle is a big plus and against a fairly thin field in terms of overall depth, I expect her class to do most of the talking.
| 6. Lady Shenandoah (1) J: Craig Williams 56kg 342×4 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after four months 4th of 11 in the G1 Winx Stakes at Randwick on August 22 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Autumn Glow with 57kg at $19. Previously second-up 3rd of 10 in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on March 7 over 1300m, 1.2 len behind Joliestar carrying 57kg at $4.20. | |||
FUNDAMENTAL NATURE (13) is third-up and ready to win now for Ciaron Maher and connections.
She was up sharply in trip when contested a 1300m race at Sandown two Saturday’s ago, making up a huge stack of ground from the tail of the field to run on late and grab third.
The fact she gets in with only 55kg is key to her chances on Saturday, and she should be able to settle a touch closer this time from a nice inside gate. John Allen has been the man responsible for a few of her wins, so his return to the saddle is also a plus.
| 13. Fundamental Nature (2) J: John Allen 55kg 38×13 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up won by a neck in a Bm74 at this track on August 15 over 1100m on a rain affected track defeating Educated with 57.5kg at $10. Second run from a spell ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 9 in a Bm74 at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, slow going neck behind Ivan’s Hero with 58kg at $2.80. | |||
